I went mirror less first. it was great, why, because its light and when you step up from a compact its not something you like not having. Image quality isn't really affected that much for day shots, and it allowed me to learn photography.

I now have an SLR for photoshoots (usually at home/studio though where I don't have to lug it around) as well but its only a starter and hoping to upgrade, but no point at the moment as its only a hobby.

As a NEX-5N owner I was really looking forward to the 7. I bought it and tried it out for a month and ultimately resold it. I love my 5n! It doesn't have tri-navi but it's a lot lighter and goes anywhere with me. I'd probably spring for the 6 now that that's out tho.http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Compact-I.../dp/B0096W1OCG

mirrorless is great, just make sure you research your options well before you buy. you are buying into a system so look at the available lenses and your other needs/wants. personally, that led me to the micro 4/3rds format. particularly the lenses since both Panasonic and Olympus are making some great quality lenses at a variety of price points and there are even a couple Voightlander ($$$$) native lenses if you really want classic high-end. the m4/3 lenses also tend to be smaller and lighter than SLR lenses.
the Sony Nex is a great system as well, but there are fewer native lens options and though you save space with the mirrorless Nex body, the lenses are just as big as their SLR brothers. but you also get a larger sensor with the Nex so that is a plus as well.
the Fuji is a great camera as well if you want the classic rangefinder experience. but, again, not a lot of lens options yet.

also, you'll probably get more responses in the Digital Photography section.

I'd go with mirrorless at this point, smaller camera, less money but image quality is at DSLR levels.

I have an Olympus OMD EM5 and I highly recommend that camera. The Micro 4/3 standard has a lot of high quality lenses that are not overly large.

I looked at the Sony NEX cameras but found the lack of native lenses and the size of the lenses it does have to be the main reason why I went with the M43. I think the Sony NEX series has some great cameras and certainly fit your needs but I think the Oly Camera is better

I think for most consumers, mirrorless is the way to go simply for form factor.

I always though APS-C dSLRs would survive for awhile. But with the advent of mirrorless cameras with sensors approaching (or at) sizes of APS-C, I seriously think we'll see 'entry' level consumer dSLRs disappearing and that product segment will be replaced by mirrorless.

I am putting my hands on photography and thinking of buying either dlsr or mirrorless Sony nex7. Thinking of spending max $2k for the whole kit incl lenses. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

The NEXs are great. I got a F3 for my mother and she absolutely loves it. Often I find myself wanting to use her camera rather than my bulky SLR.

The beauty of the NEXs is the size of the sensor. I did get for her a Nikon J1 and she hated the controls, plus the IQ wasn't anything to write home about. We ended up returning it and getting the NEX instead; much better.

The Blackrapid R strap has transformed how I use cameras. I'm a big guy and hated having a DSLR bouncing off my belly. Having it at my side available to run and gun and grab it like a pistol and drop it back to my side/rear and hustle off is amazing. I have the double too, looking forward to trying that more.

I actually dropped my DSLR and 24-70 on top of my niece's head once when she got too close in front of me while I was looking through the viewfinder. Cracked the front plastic bits of the lens, good thing I don't use the threads for filters!

DSLRs are versatile. That's their major asset. They can do everything well.

Until recently, mirrorless cameras either could not offer the image quality of a DSLR, or could not do so at a comparable price as a DSLR. That has changed. My X-Pro1 easily outshines my 5D Mark II in terms of sheer image quality. The XF 35 f/1.4 is far sharper than my 35L ever was (though the new Sigma 35 appears to be a winner), and is far smaller, to boot.

That's not to say that I pick the X-Pro1 for every situation. For macro, the XF 60 only does 1:2. For lenses >135mm (FF equiv), the EVF is far too unstable. But in that 21-90mm range, the X-Pro1 is simply better. Lens choice is not really an issue, because I can put virtually any lens I want on my X-Pro1.

And the X-Pro1 does all this in a far smaller package than the 5D2. There's really no downside. I give up a few pixels, sure, but the X-Pro1 images enlarge better because they are sharper and have less noise. I also lose a bit of DoF due to shooting shorter focal lengths for the same framing, but I can't say I've ever really missed this.

Even a year ago, I wouldn't have said these things. But cameras like the X-Pro1 and X-E1, Nex-6 and -7, and to a lesser extent the OM-D (m4/3 is really pushing it in terms of DoF control and ease of enlargement) have completely changed the game.

If I were starting out, I'd be going mirrorless, all the way, unless I had a very specific need for a DLSR.

I actually dropped my DSLR and 24-70 on top of my niece's head once when she got too close in front of me while I was looking through the viewfinder. Cracked the front plastic bits of the lens, good thing I don't use the threads for filters!

Never mind that. How's your niece??!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edge100

DSLRs are versatile. That's their major asset. They can do everything well.

Until recently, mirrorless cameras either could not offer the image quality of a DSLR, or could not do so at a comparable price as a DSLR. That has changed. My X-Pro1 easily outshines my 5D Mark II in terms of sheer image quality. The XF 35 f/1.4 is far sharper than my 35L ever was (though the new Sigma 35 appears to be a winner), and is far smaller, to boot.

Edge, if you have time sometime, I'd love to see a few pictures shot at the same time from each camera.

Edge, if you have time sometime, I'd love to see a few pictures shot at the same time from each camera.

Unfortunately, I don't have the 35L anymore. I am planning a comprehensive test between the X-Pro1 (with 35 f/1.4), 5D2 (with Sigma 50 1.4), and, just for fun, a Mamiya 7 medium format film rangefinder. I just need to find the time to do it.

As a former NEX-7 owner I wouldn't be too sure of that. The 24megapickle images are of dubious value. I personally can't make use of more than 12-16 on a regular basis for the types of photos I take and if you are shooting landscapes to print big you are better off with a D800 for pure clean pixel performance. I sold off my 7 and kept the 5n, which does everything I ask of it from a go anywhere cam. I'm tempted to move up to the 6 for a few reasons, but bigger images aren't one of them.

Again, my other camera is a D4 tho...

Edit; Or are you saying you went with the 7 already as your choice? If so, disregard the above, enjoy your camera, and don't look at any other reviews for 3 years or whenever you are ready to upgrade. Once the choice is made learn to love what you've got and don't mind what me or anyone else recommends! =)

If you don't mind the extra bulk, I'd go with DSLRs. I like how you see exactly what will be recorded through the viewfinder, and the phase detection autofocus is really quick.
Then again, today's mirrorless cameras' contrast detection autofocus systems are starting to rival phase detection. And with cameras like the Fuji Xpro-1, viewfinders are certainly available on mirrorless cameras.
Mirrorless cameras also offer versatility, in that the super short flange distance allows for all sorts of adaptors to be used with them. Mirrorless cameras can be your testbed camera, and should you ever want a DSLR system to stick with, you can go test out the lenses using an adaptor. And in the case of E-mount to A-mount, there is an adaptor that even enables phase detection and turns your NEX into a SLT!

The other factor is whether you need action. ISO performance. Dynamic range. Colors and rendering are fantastic on the rx1 and were on the x100 for a crop. But .... How many shots will you miss due to needing faster autofocus? The rx1 is way faster than the x100 was but its still not something I would use wide open in low light to capture moving subjects. Now if they add focus peaking without zoom. Maybe.

Point is. Different tools for different jobs. I hate lugging around my 5d2 70-200, 35l 430 ex and that's a light combo. Bit sometimes a single range prime isn't fast enough. Nor is changing them (like events)

Why. I'd rather have better af iso evf .... And ergonomics. The 6 should be called the 8. Going down in megapixels was clearly necessary. The noise on the 7 is not worth it. I get less upsizing a 5n image

Why. I'd rather have better af iso evf .... And ergonomics. The 6 should be called the 8. Going down in megapixels was clearly necessary. The noise on the 7 is not worth it. I get less upsizing a 5n image

As a former NEX-7 owner I wouldn't be too sure of that. The 24megapickle images are of dubious value. I personally can't make use of more than 12-16 on a regular basis for the types of photos I take and if you are shooting landscapes to print big you are better off with a D800 for pure clean pixel performance. I sold off my 7 and kept the 5n, which does everything I ask of it from a go anywhere cam. I'm tempted to move up to the 6 for a few reasons, but bigger images aren't one of them.

Again, my other camera is a D4 tho...

Edit; Or are you saying you went with the 7 already as your choice? If so, disregard the above, enjoy your camera, and don't look at any other reviews for 3 years or whenever you are ready to upgrade. Once the choice is made learn to love what you've got and don't mind what me or anyone else recommends! =)

I went with nex7 and Zeiss/Sony Vario Sonnar T 16-80mm f3.5-4.5 ZA lenses. As a learning photographer I must admit its a pleasure to be learning on such a camera where everything seems to be digital. I didn't like the learning curve and bulk of dslr. Guys talking about nex5 but nex7 is truly big step forward from usability point of view. Can't even compare. Accessible action buttons everywhere plus amoled viewfinder is of the hook. I am really happy with it to be honest. Already looking forward to few more lenses.